Pune (Maharashtra), 17 January 2019: The Semi-Finals in the Under-17 Women’s hockey competition of the 2nd Khelo India Youth Games 2019 took place here today which saw Jharkhand and Haryana advance to the Final to set up an exciting encounter for the Gold Medal. Jharkhand made their way to the Final with a 4-3 victory over Odisha in the first Semi-Final, while Haryana outplayed Punjab to defeat them 4-0 in the second Semi-Final.
It was a match of two halves in the first Semi-Final as it was Odisha who took a 3-0 lead after just 23 minutes. But Jharkhand made a stunning comeback in the third and fourth quarters to come from behind to secure a 4-3 win. Goals for Jharkhand were scored by Sanjana Horo (32′), Dipti Kullu (38′), Poonam Mundu (48′) and Beauty Dung Dung (60′) while it was Neha Lakra (6′), Mukta Jojo (15′) and Jyoti Chhatri (23′) who had given Odisha the lead in the crucial encounter.
The second Semi-Final saw Haryana dominate the match from the opening quarter itself and produce a stunning display to defeat Punjab 4-0. A successful Penalty Corner from Neelam in the 28th minute saw Haryana take an important lead in the match, which was then doubled in the 47th minute through a Penalty Stroke by Deepika. Haryana’s Neelam scored off a Penalty Corner again in the 50th minute to extend her team’s lead to three goals, and it was Manju Chorsiya who scored from a Penalty Corner in the 53rd minute to secure the victory which ensures Haryana’s berth in the Final.
Jharkhand and Haryana will contest in the Final of the Under-17 Women’s hockey competition in the 2nd Khelo India Youth Games 2019 will take place here on Saturday. 19th January 2019 at 1100hrs IST. While, Odisha and Punjab will be competing for the Bronze Medal at 0900hrs IST.
